One week later:

"Oh sweet girl, come here." I feel myself get pulled into a hug, now just realizing I was crying. again.

I lean into Lizzy, allowing her warmth and gentle hug to give me comfort but only crying harder as I start thinking about Chris' hugs and how warm and gentle and amazing they were.

I felt another pair of arms circle me and new it was Scar -or Jo as I call her since everyone calls her that- she has been very kindhearted to allow me to stay with her and Rose for the time being since I knew that Chris would just show up at my house.

I also called my parents to make sure they were alright with it, which they were, so here I've been here for the past week since the argument.  Like every other teenager who's been through a bad break up, being a depressed ridden bed potato who only gets up (reluctantly) to eat, drink, and shower.

I'm like a zombie, numb, walking slowly and looking very um... disasterly if I do say so myself. The girls have been a great help, Lizzy always stopping by whenever she has the free time to see how I've been doing and bringing snacks or just to give me and Jo (not forget little rose) some company and usually stays a day or two then heads back home.

I thankfully didn't have to show up to school till tomorrow since we will be practicing rehearsals for graduation and to say I was dreading it was an understatement as I'm one; not in the mood to be around so many people, two, I know the girls will be questioning me on why I look so dead, and three; it will just remind me on the one of the most special days of my life, he wont be there.

I feel someone holding onto my sleeve as they crawl their way on my lap and know it's little Rose herself, which I gladly make room for. What made this hug even better was that Dodger joined in by sticking his hand on Rose's lap causing her to giggle which in turn caused everyone else to laugh too.

I know what you're thinking, how is Dodger here?

Well the day before yesterday, Lizzy went by Chris's place to 'talk her sense into him' as she put it, and she came back with the pup saying Chris told her to take him to me cause all he did was cry, whine, and not even look or cuddle with Chris as If he knew what happened. So he has been here for about two days now.

I grab my purse, making sure I have my car keys and phone with me as I head out the room. I hear little pitter patters of both feet and paws following me but I don't bother to turn around till I'm at the door. I smile down at the two mischiefs hiding behind the couch as they tried to sneak their way around me-well at least little Rose was trying to actually hide- as Dodger's head popped half way out from behind the sofa. I just shake my head at them, an actual smile makes its way on my lips.

"What are you guys up to, hmm?" I question the blonde five year-old as I walk over and sit down on the couch, peeking over the sofa. She looks up at me behind her mop hair that has fallen out of her braid, covering her brown eyes she inherited from her father.

"Where you going Auntie Andi?" she whispers to me, as if she was telling me a secret.

"Well my little spy, I am going to a stadium with the rest of my class to practice my walk for graduation," I smile down at her, pushing her hair out of her face.

"Wow!" she perks up, "-Can we go with you, pretty pleasee." she begs, tugging on my hand a bit as she jumps up and down. I laugh at her antics.

"I'm not sure if I can bug, especially bring Dodge." I give her a sad smile.

I felt bad as she started to tear up and even worse than I did today. I bring her over the couch and sit her in my lap, rocking her a bit as I cuddle her to me.

"Alright, I think I can try but you have to promise you will behave the whole time alright?" I question. She shakes her up and down frantically, then she raced to her room to go get her shoes, I assume.

"Well someone's excited." Jo laughs as she walks over from the stairs.

"Yeah, I was wondering if it's alright with you if I take her with me to the rehearsal?" I ask when she joins me on the couch.

"Oh that's what she must be excited for, I don't know... I dont want her to be a distraction and is she even able to go?"

"Ah she won't be, she's a good kid and I can just say I'm watching her so they can't make her leave. Plus she can just sit in the front with Dodger and the teachers. I know someone who will have no problem watching over her." I explain to her, hoping she agrees to let bug go.

"Well... alright then I guess I don't see any harm-" "wait did you say Dodger too?" She looks over at me, eyebrow raised.

I nod sheepishly, "yeah she wanted him to go with and I can always put my ESA (Emotional Support Animal) vest on him, it might be a bit tight since the hight distance with him and Dot but I think he would be able to go cause they wont be able to deny him." I explain. Jo starts laughing, shaking her head at my response.

"Alright, well have fun with that and good luck too." she tells me, getting up and walking to the kitchen as I hear little feet and paws running down the stairs. I turn to the pair with a big smile on my face, "alright ready to go little ones?" I grin at them.

I get a toothless grin and a wagging tail at my response. Satisfied with that, I pick up my bag, keys and leash and head to the door.

"Have fun you three and stay out of trouble!!" Jo tells from the kitchen.

******

"Hey Delgado, how are you kid?" Mr. Almora, my old AVID teacher, giving me a smile.

"Hey Mr. Almora, I'm doing good. How are you?" I offer, relaxing my hold on Dodger's leash and Bug's hand.

"I'm doing good kid... so who are these two munchins?" He questions, squating down in front of us as he smiles at the two.

"This is Rose and Dodger. Rose (and Dodger) this is one of my favorite teachers, Mr. Almora," I introduce.

Rose got a bit shy at first but then gave him a high five when he stuck his hand out and Dodger gave him a small bark and a wag as his was of greeting him.

"Well nice to meet you two, uh are they... are they yours?" He hesitates, motioning between the two.

"Oh Rose is my niece and Dodger here... I'm um co-parenting." I explain, feeling a bit down when it came to Dodger.

Mr. Almora hums and gives me a sad smile at the last comment then he turns to look at the doors and motions us to follow him.

Once we walk through they stop us for a moment when they see Dodger but then let us go when they notice his vest. On the way to the main hall, bug is looking around in excitement as if she just walked into Disney land. I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction along with Mr. Almora.

"Oh my goshhh who are these two cuties!" Karelyn squeals as the girls gather around the two. We have just finished rehearsals and are just sitting around for a bit.

"These two adorable things are Rose and Dodger..." I trail off a bit, afraid to give his name for the sake of keeping privacy but it seems like no one got the drift besides Karelyn who knew what was going on between me and a certain someone as she looks up at me in excitement and gets back to giving attention to Dodger.

I just smile at bug talking shyly to Jineni and Hannah while they all give Dodger attention, who by the way is loving it.